Knowledge is power when it comes to vintage fashion. Gaining familiarity with various styles and eras will enable you to style vintage dresses in ways that look fashionable yet put-together.
Avoid looking like you are wearing a costume. Instead, opt for vintage blouses or classic blazers with modern touches such as shoes and accessories that will elevate their appearance.
1. Take Your Own Measurements
One of the key vintage dress tips to remember when purchasing clothing online is taking your own measurements first. This is particularly important if purchasing vintage-style garments as this makes assessing how well they fit difficult without first trying them on in person. Vintage sizes differ from modern sizes – for instance, it may seem that Marilyn Monroe was size 12 when in reality she probably fell between 6-8 sizes today! For this reason, it is wise to disregard any tag size numbers completely and work from your measurements instead.
To accurately take your measurements, wrap a flexible tape measure around your body while wearing any undergarment you plan on pairing with it – including bras or undergarment that you plan on wearing under it – while wearing your bra or undergarments that you intend on pairing it with. Make sure your arms stay down at all times, since raising them could result in inaccurate measurements. Once finished, write down your results and store them away so you are always ready to ask for what size it comes in when shopping.
Vintage clothing alterations don’t need to be complicated; however, for more involved alterations it is advisable to consult a professional tailor who is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for altering them without damaging them and can offer advice on how best to resize a garment for your body type.
Be mindful when dressing vintage: you don’t want to appear like you’re dressed as a costume! Therefore, try to limit how much vintage clothing you wear at once and mix it up with modern clothing pieces – for instance pairing vintage shirt with modern jeans and an eye-catching handbag is surefire way to look fabulous.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Try On
When it comes to vintage dresses, don’t be intimidated by trying on several pieces at once. You might be amazed to find what seems too small or big is actually perfect – vintage fashion tends to fit differently than contemporary clothing, so size can often be deceptive.
Vintage dresses should be combined with modern accessories and shoes to achieve a more fashionable appearance. Furthermore, modern undergarment should be worn instead of historical ones in order to stay comfortable without experiencing tightness or bulges under clothing.
Vintage and historical pieces already look quite modern, such as a 1920s summer dress, short Edwardian walking skirt or corset top with boning and lacing. These can be easily styled with modern shoes, handbags or jewelry; or worn together with new jeans and casual sweaters for office appropriate looks.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone will love how you style vintage outfits, and that is perfectly okay. There’s no point making others feel bad about their own choices of dressing – everyone has their own fabulous fashion journey so allow them to follow it in their own unique fashion way!
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Shop
There’s a fine line between looking chic in vintage clothes and appearing like you are donning costumes from another time period, but with some practice you can learn to combine vintage dresses and accessories in ways that create timeless styles that still look contemporary.
Start shopping vintage clothing the smart way by visiting local vintage shops and markets, which often run by enthusiastic collectors who can share their knowledge of vintage fashion, helping you to find pieces perfect for your wardrobe. However, online vintage retailers provide excellent selections of vintage apparel.
If you’re new to vintage fashion, it’s advisable to set aside a budget for each purchase to ensure you don’t go beyond your means and end up with too many garments. By setting this limit for each purchase, you will ensure you won’t buy more than you can wear at once.
Make sure that when shopping vintage clothing online, you are getting exactly the garment that fits you best. Many sellers sell “vintage” items that are actually modern reproductions of historical apparel to save costs on materials and labor costs; to ensure you receive what is advertised. Please read each description of an item carefully in order to make sure what you expect will arrive!
Don’t be afraid to try on pieces you think may be too old-fashioned for your taste, even if they appear outdated at first glance. Chances are you’ll be delighted by how well it fits and how much you love wearing it for some time – but take your time as vintage shopping can be very daunting! Additionally, vintage sizes tend to run two sizes smaller than modern clothing, so if you wear size 10 clothing today look for 14 size vintage clothing items instead.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix & Match
Vintage clothing comes in all forms. While it can be rewarding to find rare and striking pieces that stand out, there’s nothing wrong with picking up more basic items too – this could include coats, cardigans or jumpers; plain or simple print dresses and skirts; black, grey or brown clothing as well as basic accessories like belts and handbags.
Simplicity can often be the key to style. A mini dress or skirt with black leggings and some wide hoop earrings add a modern, chic edge, while adding wide hoop earrings and an understated handbag add an edge that completes your look.
If you’re feeling daring, try mixing some modern wardrobe pieces with vintage pieces from different decades. For instance, combine a 60’s miniskirt with skinny jeans and ankle boots for an exciting retro-chic daytime ensemble; or pair a 1950’s blouse with modern jeans and an antique handbag to create an evening ensemble that exudes sophistication and chicness.
Attire can easily look like a costume when worn all at once from one period or era. A good way to avoid this is to start out by selecting some staple items from each era (for instance a 50s beaded cardigan, 60s style little black dress and 70s polyester trousers can make great starting points).
If you’re having difficulty finding some key pieces to get you started, organize a clothing swap among friends or family. Who knows; maybe they have vintage pieces that would fit right in with your personal style!
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Wear Your Vintage Dress
As women seek alternatives to mass-market apparel, vintage pieces have become an attractive trend for many women. Even witnessing one celebrity wearing an antique gown on the red carpet or reading about flea market finds can inspire an urge for personal possession of one or more vintage items.
Vintage clothing has never been more accessible; thanks to online shopping and specialty vintage stores offering clothing from different eras, finding your ideal piece is easier than ever before.
Once you’ve found the ideal vintage dress, it is crucial to take steps to protect it and care for it properly. This includes washing it gently and storing in a cool, dry location; additionally cedar balls or lavender sachets may help ward off moths. Having it altered to your body type may also be worthwhile if the fit is off; particularly important if the dress is either too tight or roomy.
When wearing a vintage dress, it is essential not to appear like you are dressed like a costume. Instead, pair your ensemble with modern shoes, handbag and jewelry so as to highlight its charm without appearing overly costumey. This will allow the vintage dress to shine without becoming costumey.
Start small if you’re new to vintage fashion; add one piece such as vintage jewelry or scarf into your wardrobe to gain some familiarity and ease into this trend. It can help get the ball rolling!
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, it’s time to advance your vintage style! Be sure to stop by space519 on March 11th for our trunk show featuring Ladybug Vintage!
